The Surprising Value of a Single Pokemon TCG Card Despite Its Lack of Usefulness

As the values of Pokemon cards from the Scarlet and Violet expansion continue to fluctuate, a peculiar card has emerged as one of the most valuable in the entire SV set.

Despite not reaching the high prices seen during the Sword and Shield era of the Pokemon TCG, Scarlet and Violet still has a few costly cards that have emerged with the release of new expansions.

Although certain cards such as the Paldean Fates Charizard ex and the Twilight Masquerade Greninja ex are clearly valuable, there is one that has emerged from being considered worthless to rival some of the most coveted chase cards on current card lists: Paldea Evolved’s Illustration Rare Magikarp.

Despite its reputation as a joke of a Pokemon, Magikarp has a dedicated fan base within the Pokemon community. Its limited moveset in the video game series and seemingly worthless golden Shiny variant only add to its charm. While many players may reluctantly train it in hopes of evolving it into a powerful Gyarados, others genuinely appreciate Magikarp for its endearing qualities.

The Paldea Evolved expansion’s Illustration Rare Magikarp has long been an enigma. Despite its release in June of 2023, the card with a solitary gold star was only valued at around $30-$40.

Despite its previous lack of value, the card has experienced a significant increase in market value over the past few months, now sitting at an average of $70. What is even more noteworthy, though, is that this seemingly worthless TCG card is currently being sold for an astounding $115 on TCGPlayer.

Furthermore, the PSA 10-rated Magikarp Illustration Rare is being sold for prices ranging from $150 to $700. This makes Magikarp more valuable than the Shiny Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare, which is currently available on TCGPlayer for $99.

Despite its low maximum hit damage and HP of 30, this particular Magikarp is still highly sought after due to its one-of-a-kind artstyle by Shinji Kanda. The vibrant and distinctive illustration adds value to the card, as collectors are often drawn to unique artwork even if the card itself may not be playable or feature a popular Pokemon.

Regardless of the circumstances, any players who were lucky enough to obtain this exclusive Magikarp from a booster pack now possess a fish that holds significant value.